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The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued new guidelines on transporting live animals via sea vessels, citing the need to protect the welfare of pets like dogs, cats and rabbits.

“There is an urgent need to clarify and issue the necessary supplemental guidelines for animals being transported by sea as good handling and transport management is important to the welfare of the animals carried at sea,” the new DA memorandum circular read. ADVERTISEMENT

It said containers being used to carry live animals must be appropriate for the species; they must be sturdy to properly and securely contain the animals.

Animals placed in a container must have enough space to stand and sit erect without the highest point of the head touching the roof of the container. The animals must be able to lie in a natural flexed position and turn about normally without bumping the walls of the container while standing.FEATURED STORIES BUSINESS BIZ BUZZ: Tax on pickups picks up BUSINESS Fuel prices to be rolled back on Feb. 28 BUSINESS BIZ BUZZ: A surprise ABS-CBN performance

Except for dogs, only two adult animals with a maximum total weight of 6 kilograms, of comparable and compatible size, that are used to cohabiting may be shipped in the same container.

Only rigid plastic or wooden containers are acceptable for carrying pet animals including dogs, cats and rabbits.

Containers made entirely of welded wire mesh or any other type of wire mesh can not be used. The DA said they were not suitable as these may cause injury while in conveyance. Using nonrigid, collapsible and soft containers is likewise prohibited.

Ventilation in the form of holes or welded wire mesh inserts must be provided on all four sides of the container. Side walls must be solid with sufficient ventilation as prescribed. Containers assembled from top and bottom parts must be securely bolted together.

Plastic clips must not be the only fasteners holding the top and bottom parts together. The floor must be solid and leak-proof.

The new DA issuance is an addendum to its administrative circular promulgated in 2002 that aims to promote, ensure and protect the welfare of animals while being loaded and unloaded in the ports and conveyed at sea by vessels.

“All orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this order, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly,” said the order, which took effect immediately.

The DA released the additional guidelines in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by Republic Act No. 10631, which oversees and regulates the establishment and operations of all facilities utilized for breeding, maintaining, keeping, treating or training of all animals. INQ

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